Virunga Conservation Area/Virunga Massif; Attractions, Activities & Conservation
Welcome to Virunga Conservation Area (VCA)/Virunga Massif, a UNESCO world heritage site Shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also known as the “Virunga Massif” the Conservation Area isn’t only popular for its Virunga Massifs, but it also encompasses 3 important protected areas where a section of endangered mountain gorillas live. Considering its strategic location, the greater Virunga Massif is an ideal spot worth visiting for guided mountain gorilla trekking safaris and volcano-climbing adventures in Africa.
Vegetation
The vegetation zones of the Virunga Conservation Area vary and are largely comprised of bamboo and tropical rainforest. These are key sources of forage for the endangered mountain gorillas and other wildlife species that reside within this extensive protected area. Its vegetation distribution varies with its altitudinal range of 1000m to 4507m.
The moist broad-leaved semi-deciduous forest dominates at 1000m to 2800m altitude, bamboo forests range from 2800m to 3200m, and this area records heavy rainfall of about 2000mm per year. The area is also dominated by grassland, marshes, Afro-alpine moorland plus giant lobelia. The Virunga Region hosts over 1265 species of flora and more than 120 of them are Albertine rift endemic species.
Location of the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA)
Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) is an extensive area that is shared by 3 countries; Rwanda, Uganda, and D.R. Congo. It encompasses protected areas such as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park located in far Southwestern Uganda, Virunga National Park in Eastern Congo, and Volcanoes National Park in extreme Northwest Rwanda.
Virunga Area lies along the Albertine rift valley area and it is where you can find the chain of 8 Virunga Volcanoes; Mikeno, Bisoke, Nyiragongo, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Nyamuragira and Muhabura.
Wildlife of Virunga Conservation Area
The Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) is popular for its endangered mountain gorillas. However, wildlife in the area is much more than the gorillas. Several other wildlife species can be spotted while on an African safari in this area, including bushbucks, duikers, leopards, giant forest genets, bush pigs, elephants; primates like olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys, bush babies, De Brazza monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys.
Birds in the Virunga Conservation Area
A variety of Albertine rift endemic and forest bird species range within the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA). The common birds to sight in Virunga Region include the Grauer’s swamp warblers, Handsome francolins, Shelley’s crimson wing, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori batis, turacos, Madagascar bee-eaters, Narrow-tailed starling, Red-throated alethe, African goshawk, Grey-throated barbet, White headed wood hoopoe, Yellow-billed barbets, Double-toothed barbets;
Black kites, African paradise flycatchers, pin-tailed whydah, speckled mousebirds, fires finch stone chat, Doubled-collared sunbird, White-necked raven, Grey-capped warblers, Rwenzori Nightjars, Olive woodpeckers, Blue-headed coucal, Yellow-vented bulbul, Strange weavers, Archer’s ground robin, Red-faced woodland warblers, Baglafetch weavers and more.
Top Activities to do in the Virunga Conservation Area -VCA
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking is the number one safari activity in the Virunga Conservation Area. Hundreds of travelers visit the Virunga Massif purposely to trek the endangered gorillas in their natural habitats. You can trek in one park or do combined trekking to experience the feeling in both parks and draw accurate comparisons. A visit to the Virunga Conservation Area is a lifetime opportunity to get up close and have a personal encounter with the rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The premier mountain gorilla trekking destinations to consider a must-visit in the Virunga Region include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for guests on Uganda safaris; Volcanoes National Park for Rwanda gorilla safari travelers and in the D.R. Congo, visit the Virunga National Park, the biggest of all the 4 mountain gorilla destinations.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is the smallest of all the Virunga Conservation Areas, covering a land area of about 33.7sq. km. This spectacular protected area lies in the extreme Southwest of Uganda and it is renowned as the country’s only location where gold meets silver given the presence of both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Visiting Mgahinga National Park is an opportunity to explore the only fully habituated group- the Nyakagezi family. This is only possible for holidaymakers with valid gorilla permits, and each permit is issued at USD700 per person (foreign non-residents), USD600 ( for foreign residents), and shs. 250,000 per tourist per day (for East African citizens. Places to stay include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Traveler’s Rest Hotel Kisoro, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, and other nearby lodges at Rushaga, Nkuringo region of Bwindi National Park.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy guided Rwanda gorilla tours in Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi area roughly a 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali city. 12 habituated mountain gorillas all await exploring at Volcanoes N/Park, Northwestern Rwanda, and each is visited by a maximum of 8pax. Each visitor with gorilla safari plans to see Rwanda gorillas must have valid gorilla permits and each permit is issued at USD1500. The entire gorilla safari can be planned by your trusted tour operator on the ground, and this includes obtaining gorilla permits, booking transportation, accommodation, and everything that is needed to make your trip complete. Accommodation in Rwanda Volcanoes N/Park- Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Garden Place Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Bisate Lodge, many others.
Gorilla Tours in Virunga National Park
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, visiting mountain gorillas is done in Virunga National Park, a 7800sq.km park is located on the Eastern side of the country. The rainforest protects 8 habituated gorilla families and Congo gorilla permits are obtainable at USD450 per person. Available lodges for an overnight stay in Congo’s Virunga National Park include Mikeno Lodge, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp, Kibumbi Camp & others.
Volcano hiking
For adventure seekers, come and conquer the remarkable Virunga Massifs in Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Mount Nyiragongo (3,470m) located in Virunga National Park is the most hiked mountain among the Virunga volcanoes. The volcano last erupted in 2021 and it has not yet been opened for hiking. The second most popular is Mount Karisimbi (4,507m) located in Volcanoes National park on the borders of Rwanda and Congo. This is the highest volcano whose summit is covered by snow. Mt Bisoke (3,711m) in VNP on Rwanda borders with DRC, is also common and can be hiked in one day. In Uganda, you can hike Gahinga volcano at 3,474m, Mt. Sabyinyo at 3,674m, and Mt Muhabura at 4,127m both located in Mgahinga Gorilla National park but sharing borders with Rwanda. Mount Nyamuragira is the most active among the 8 and hiking is prohibited for the safety of clients. The other Volcano is Mt Mikeno in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey trekking in East Africa is best done in the Virunga Area. To enjoy a close encounter with golden monkeys, consider visiting Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Enjoy a trek to see the endangered golden monkeys that inhabit the jungles of these two gorilla parks. Trekking these lively and playful creatures costs $100 allowing travelers to spend an hour in their company. The procedures of trekking are similar to those of gorillas and chimpanzees
Bird Watching
Birding in Virunga Region allows you to identify a variety of Albertine rift endemic birds and forest species. The special birds of interest on a birding tour in the Virunga Area include Madagascar bee-eaters, Black kites, African paradise flycatchers, Narrow-tailed starlings, Red-throated alethe, African goshawk, Grey-throated barbet, Grauer’s swamp warblers, White headed wood hoopoe, Yellow-billed barbets, Double-toothed barbets,Pin-tailed whydah, speckled mousebird, fires finch stone chat, Doubled-collared sunbird, White-necked raven, Handsome francolins, Shelley’s crimson wing, Kivu ground thrush, Grey-capped warblers, Rwenzori Nightjars, Olive woodpeckers, Blue-headed coucal, Yellow-vented bulbul, Rwenzori batis, turacos, etc.
Cultural Tours
Do not miss taking part in the experimental community tours for cultural performances. Enjoy the Batwa cultural trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National park and the Gorilla Guardians Village in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda. Cultural tours give you a chance to meet local people living their daily lifestyles and taking part in different activities. These indigenous people gladly share their uniqueness in terms of culture, traditions, and norms. 
In Mgahinga Gorilla National park, Batwa local guides lead you into the jungle forest to demonstrate their traditional forest life. These were initial dwellers of Mgahinga forest until their eviction in 1993 when gorilla tourism,m was introduced in the Park. You will experience a variety of forest activities such as hunting, gathering fruits, collecting firewood, collecting honey, and visiting Ngarama caves which were a hiding place for the Batwa in times of insecurity. You will experience and if you like take part in traditional dances, songs, and other local activities done at the scene
What Other People Ask About Virunga Conservation Area
This article also answers some of the questions that most people ask about the Virunga Conservation Area. These include:
What are the Virunga mountains Known for?
The Virunga mountains are commonly knowns for the endangered mountain gorillas which live in the jungles of Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga Gorilla National parks. The mountain ranges shelter over 500 mountain gorillas habituated for trekking. Gorillas are among the critically endangered primates listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (UNESCO)
What are the Virunga Mountains and where are they located?
These are the chain of Volcanoes in East and Central Africa located on the borders of Northern Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some people call them the Birunga mountains while others call them the Mufumbiro ranges in the northern region of Lake Kivu in Central East Africa.
Is it safe to visit Virunga Mountains?
YES, the Virunga mountains are safe for visitors. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda is very safe for tourism. No murder or insecurity cases have been reported in these two parks in the past two decades. However, Virunga National park in Congo has reported some cases of insecurity. Gorilla trekking in Congo is currently on hold and the park is still closed to visitors. However, we shall update you once the park is open again.
Which is the highest mountain in the Virunga Volcano ranges?
Mount Karisimbi standing at 4,507 meters above sea level is the highest Volcano in the Virunga Conservation Area. The active stratovolcano is located in Volcano National Park on the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Karisimbi was derived from the Kinyarwanda word” Amasimbi” which means snow seen at the summit of the volcano. The forested lower slopes of the mountain shelter the Karisimbi gorilla family normally seen by hikers.
What to pack when visiting the Virunga mountains?
You are reminded to carry essentials when visiting the Virunga mountains. These include hiking boots, garden gloves, scarf, hats, rain jackets, long pants, toiletries, long-sleeved shirts, and stockings. Insect repellents help you to prevent poisonous insect bites during gorilla trekking and hiking adventure.
